FAQ: Treats for dogs

Treats are commonly advised to make up only a small part of the daily diet. The manufacturer states the exact amount on the pack.

Packs range from a few dozen grams to several kilograms. The price per kilogram shows what you really pay.

Treats are usually not complete food – they are meant for rewards, training or a bit of variety. A dog's balanced diet comes from its main food, so treats should not replace it.

Yes, on days when you give more treats than usual, it is worth slightly reducing the main food portion. That way the dog does not take in too many calories and keeps a healthy weight.

The most common are training bites, biscuits, soft and dried meat treats, dental chews, natural chews made from dried animal parts, and pastes or fillers for toys. Each type serves a slightly different purpose.

Chewing is a natural need for dogs: it calms them, helps burn off energy and reduces the urge to chew furniture or shoes. A suitable chew can also help clean the teeth mechanically.

Yes, treats given in moderation every day do no harm if their size and ingredients suit the dog. What matters most is that total daily calories stay within the dog's needs and it still gets complete main food.

A treat works best right after the desired behaviour, so the dog links it to the command it performed. Chews are handy when the dog has to stay alone or settle down, for example after a walk.

Many manufacturers recommend puppy treats from a few months of age – the exact age is stated on the pack. Start with small amounts and watch how the puppy's digestion reacts.

Puppy treats are usually softer, smaller and easier to digest, to suit developing teeth and stomachs. Hard chews meant for adult dogs should be given to puppies with caution or not at all.

During teething, puppies do well with softer chews, special puppy chew toys or chilled rubber toys. Very hard bones or antlers can damage young teeth.

Small, soft adult treats are often fine for a puppy, but check the age stated on the pack. Hard chews and large pieces are better left until the dog is grown.

Puppies are trained often, so the bites should be very small – about the size of a pea. It is worth subtracting all the treats eaten in a day from the daily food ration so the puppy does not overeat.

Yes, part of the daily dry food ration can be used as a reward, especially when practising at home. Outdoors, with many distractions, a puppy often responds better to a tastier, more aromatic treat.

Senior dogs often do well with softer, lower-calorie treats that are easy to chew. If the dog has dental problems or a chronic illness, it is worth discussing treat ingredients with a vet.

Choose soft bites, pastes or treats that can be broken into small pieces. If the dog suddenly avoids chewing or eats on one side only, have its teeth checked by a vet.

Yes, some treats contain added joint ingredients such as glucosamine or chondroitin. They are a supplement, not a treatment, so if the dog limps or struggles to move, see a vet.

Small, soft and aromatic bites that the dog swallows in a second and that do not crumble on the ground suit training well. The faster the dog eats the treat, the sooner you can continue the exercise.

A training treat should be as small as possible – for small dogs about the size of a match head or a pea, slightly larger for big dogs. Larger treats can be cut or broken into several pieces.

This term refers to especially tasty and aromatic treats, such as dried meat or soft meat bites. They are used for harder exercises, recall or practising in places with many distractions.